By Edward Stephens on 2018-09-30 - Edward edits the motoring pages of the Birmingham Mail and Birmingham Post as a freelancer after more than 35 years on the staff. Also writes on motoring for various other newspapers, trade magazines and well known websites.

THE second generation of BMW's X4 has taken on a radical new macho image dramatically putting its much softer predecessor in the shade.

More than 200,000 of the distinctive X4 Sports Activity Coupes have been sold since its launch in 2014 but the newcomer, particularly with M Sport X exterior design trim, has a much bolder more aggressive appearance.

Longer, wider and lower than the original model the dynamic new X4 has more muscular lines with its high arched roof, off-road style body mouldings on the sills and wheel arches and a sporting new rear window spoiler.

Park it anywhere and it certainly commands attention.

And admirers taking a look through the windows can't fail to be impressed by the superbly styled cockpit with its high backed sporting seats - in this case in dramatic red leather - wraparound dashboard and specially embellished controls.

Most of the onboard activities can be carried out on a central touch screen which sits high up on dashboard and is controlled by the i-Drive wheel near the gearshift.

The extra inches added to the new model - it's 16ft 6ins long and 6ft 5ins wide - means there is generous space on the inside for both front and rear seat travellers.

And mirroring the size of the car is the size of its key fob which is around three times the size of a conventional one but cleverly allows you to not only check on the status of your vehicle - if it's locked , how much fuel you have left etc - but also pre-set the interior temperature for when you are about to leave home.

Optional extras available for the X4 are many and varied and those fitted to my test car added another £10,000 to the price. They included everything from a Harman Kardon surround system to a head-up display and run flat tyres.

And with its on-board Wi fi facility using BMW's ConnectedDrive you can access everything from the latest news stories as they are happening to the weather.

Powered by a beefy 190bhp diesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox the 2,0-litre X4 has an impressive amount of torque. Flick the gear shift to sport or use the paddles behind the steering wheel and despite its size it really does become very lively.

Despite its height there is a distinct lack of roll on corners and road holding - thanks in part to the four-wheel-drive system - is superb.

You can set the X4's driving mode to suit your needs on the day, with a choice of Eco, Sport and Comfort available.

And it's also a very practical car with 525 litres of space available beneath the rear tailgate with the rear seatbacks in place and a hefty 1,430 with them folded down.